University of Texas at Austin's Cockrell School of Engineering has
found that crib mattresses expose sleeping infants to high levels of chemical
emissions. Specifically, the team analyzed the foam padding from crib
mattresses and found that the mattresses release significant amounts of
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are potentially harmful chemicals found
in many household items including cleaners and scented sprays.

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The researchers studied samples of polyurethane foam and polyester
foam padding from 20 new and old crib mattresses. Graduate student Brandon
Boor, in the Cockrell School's Department of Civil, Architectural and
Environmental Engineering, conducted the study under the supervision of
assistant professor Ying Xu and associate professor Atila Novoselac. Boor also
worked with senior researcher Helena Järnström from the VTT Technical Research
Centre of Finland. They reported their findings in the February issue of Environmental
Science & Technology.

The researchers found:

- New crib mattresses release about four times as many VOCs as old
crib mattresses.

The researchers concluded that, on average, mattresses emitted VOCs at
a rate of 87.1 micrograms per square meter per hour, while older mattresses
emitted VOCs at a rate of 22.1 micrograms per square meter per hour. Overall,
Boor said crib mattresses release VOCs at rates comparable to other consumer
products and indoor materials, including laminate flooring (20 to 35 micrograms
per square meter per hour) and wall covering (51 micrograms per square meter
per hour).

Boor became motivated to conduct the study after finding out that
infants spend 50 to 60 percent of their day sleeping. Infants are considered
highly susceptible to the adverse health effects of exposure to indoor air
pollutants.

"I wanted to know more about the chemicals they may inhale as
they sleep during their early stages of development," he said. "This
research also helps to raise awareness about the various chemicals that may be
found in crib mattresses, which are not typically listed by
manufacturers."

The 20 mattress samples are from 10 manufacturers. The researchers
chose not to disclose the names of the manufacturers studied so that their
results could draw general attention to the product segment without focusing on
specific brands.

At present, not much is known about the health effects that occur from
the levels of VOCs found in homes, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.